Both drugs work in the same way and are used for the same indications.
Inflectra is a biosimilar to Food and Drug Administration (FDA)approved Remicade.
Abiosimilar drugis highly similar to an already FDA-approved biologic drug, referred to as a “reference drug.”
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Remicade was initially licensed in 1998, and Inflectra was approved in 2016.
Biosimilars treat the same indications and conditions as approved for the reference drug.
However, there can be some minor differences in inactive components of biosimilar products.
These differences are not clinically meaningful.
How Do They Work?
Inflectra and Remicade belong to the class of medications called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors.
They block the action of an inflammation-causing protein calledTNF-alpha.
People with certain autoimmune diseases, like psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis, have too much TNF-alpha.
This causes the immune system to attack healthy tissues or organs and cause cell death.
Inflectra and Remicade can help block the damage triggered by too much TNF-alpha in the body.
Main Differences
Inflectra and Remicade are very similar.
The only difference is that Inflectra contains the active drug infliximab-dyyb.
It is a biosimilar to the reference product infliximab, the main ingredient in Remicade.
Inflectra costs less than Remicade.
Usually, biosimilar drugs are cheaper than reference products.
What Conditions Do They Treat?
These attacks weaken the body or even cause life-threatening problems.
Consult your healthcare provider about the possible risks of using infliximab products for your condition.
How Are They Administered?
Inflectra and Remicade are given by a healthcare provider in a clinical setting.
Only a healthcare professional should prepare and administer the medicine.
These include histamine receptor antagonists, Tylenol (acetaminophen), or corticosteroids.
Your provider will monitor you for side effects during and after the infusion.
If side effects occur, they may need to adjust or stop your infusion or treat your symptoms.
Keep regular appointments to get the follow-up doses.
Dosage: How Much Is Given?
Both Inflectra and Remicade have the same dosage regimen for different indications.
The doses are given below.
Doses are given more frequently at the beginning of the treatment and less often as the treatment continues.
After an initial dose, the following doses are given after two weeks and six weeks.
Later, a maintenance dose is given every eight weeks.
Your healthcare provider may discontinue Inflectra and Remicade if you do not respond after two weeks.
Do They Have The Same Effectiveness?
What Are The Side Effects?
Inflectra and Remicade help treat conditions when other drugs do not improve clinical symptoms.
However, some side effects may occur.
You may be given other medications to treat or prevent adverse reactions.
Take precautionary measures when required to prevent any severe adverse effects.
There is an increased risk of developing severe infections that can lead to hospitalization or even death.
These includetuberculosis (TB), bacterialsepsis, fungal infections, or infections from other pathogens.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Consult your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while using Infectra or Remicade.
The baby may need to receive certain additional vaccinations after birth.
Your healthcare provider may tell you not to use Remicade, Inflectra, or similar products.
Different studies' data support the safety and efficacy of onetime switching between reference Remicade and biosimilar Inflectra.
More clinical studies are required to establish the facts.
Ultimately this decision should be left to patients and their prescribers.
Summary
Inflectra is the first FDA-approved biosimilar to Remicade.
The main difference between Inflectra and Remicade is their active ingredient.
Inflectra contains the active drug infliximab-dyyb.
It is a biosimilar version of infliximab, the active drug in Remicade.
A biosimilar drug is highly similar to an already FDA-approved drug called a “reference drug.”
Inflectra and Remicade are prescription drugs and work similarly for various autoimmune disorders.
These drugs must be used as prescribed.
A healthcare professional will administer the drug while monitoring the patient for adverse reactions.
U.S Food and Drug Administration.What is a biosimilar?
U.S Food and Administration.FDA approves Inflectra, a biosimilar to Remicade.
DailyMed.Label: Remicade- infliximab injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution.
2019;49(1):31-40. doi:10.1111/apt.14997
